Pedestrians at high risk
Poor lighting, congestion set up potential for
disaster
By Greg Risling
Tribune Staff Writer
Dan Burden took a leisurely
evening stroll on U.S. Highway 50 last week and didn't feel safe in his new surroundings.
"There aren't any street lights," he said. "If I had to rank the cities
across the nation on adequate street lighting, South Lake Tahoe would be right near the
bottom."
The transportation consultant was in town to speak with local and state planners at the
first Pedestrian Safety Road Show last Friday at Embassy Suites Hotel. Sponsored by the
United States Department of Transportation (DOT), five pilot sessions, including one in
Minden, paved the way for last week's conference. According to federal DOT engineer
Leverson Boodlal, more than 200 "road shows" have been requested by cities. The
next program will be in Steamboat Springs, Colo., in June.
Approximately 50 invited guests turned out for the event, half of which were being
trained to head similar projects in other cities. The seven-hour session covered roadway
improvements, conceptual plans and comments -- all for the cause of pedestrian and bicycle
safety.
Communities across the United States are becoming more vocal about speeding vehicles,
traffic congestion and mitigation. From crosswalks to turn pockets, intersection redesigns
and traffic projects are in high demand. Slides presented by Burden at the meeting showed
how cities have turned streets into safe, bustling centers of activity.
Portland, Oregon has turned a grey, dank downtown into a thriving economic hub filled
with brick-paved streets, benches and outdoor seating at restaurants. After Hurricane Hugo
slammed Charleston, South Carolina in 1989, swings and benches lined the waterfront within
a year.
What does this all mean for South Lake Tahoe? The combination of sidewalks patches,
excessive driveways, and confusing intersections, pedestrians and bicyclists have limited,
yet dangerous options. Burden said studies show that people want five qualities when in
their neighborhood or on vacation: 1) security 2) convenience 3) efficiency 4) comfort and
5) welcomed.
"I'd say South Lake Tahoe has about 15 percent of those needs," he added.
"Fifty percent usually cuts it for a well-maintained and designed street. If you get
to 80 percent, you'll be making money on that street."
The city faces a mountain of infrastructure improvements well into the next century.
Various planners, community activists and local officials said curb cuts, painted
walkways, snow removal and sidewalk "continuity" requires upgrading. In order to
address these items, Burden said lake leaders should have a "vision." The
buzzword has received a positive response from communities, small and large, wanting to
revitalize and stimulate downtowns and neighborhoods.
The city's main drag, Highway 50, was the primarv focus of the workshop and possibly a
future vision. Participants had the chance to outline new, pedestrian-friendly locations
on aerial maps of the city. Landscaping, traffic circles and raised median were just some
of the solutions presented by the breakout groups. South Lake Tahoe Middle School students
were a bit more creative with their plans. Burden visited a seventh-grade class on
Thursday and kids drew space for a zoo, BMX bike track and a Fisherman's Wharf complex
near Lakeview Avenue, which would be equipped with a berth for the Tahoe Queen.
While most of the ideas are ambitious, the city has a $4 million beautification project
in dhe works. The plan incorporates a bicycle lane, pedestrian lights and sidewalks from
the "Y" intersection to Ski Run Boulevard. Thirty percent of the funding has
been secured but the remainder will have to come from the federal or state government.
Resident Keith Norberg said there has been plenty of discussion about transportation
issues ins the past but that it's high time to start getting the work done.
"There have been a lot of meetings like this about light rail, gondolas and
traffic but we seem to be standing still," he said. "The visioning is narrow at
this point but I'm sure with community support it will expand later."
- from Tahoe Daily Tribune, May 5, 1997
U.S. Department of Transportation